The Parliament of Georgia officially acknowledged 190 persons political prisoners

During today’s session the Parliament of Georgia adopted a resolution of acknowledging 190 citizens serving penalty political prisoners and 25 more political refugees.

It should be reminded that a work group of the Parliament of Georgia studied the dossiers of those who considered themselves political prisoners. During their work representatives of the group considered over 220 dossiers. Persons convicted according to different clauses of the Criminal Code, among them ones sentenced for high treason and terrorism, were included into the list of political prisoners.

According to Ekaterina Beselia, Chairperson of Committee for human rights and civil integration, representatives of 14 non-governmental organizations also submitted their lists of political prisoners and conclusions on their cases. She pointed out that persons who became “personal prisoners” were also included into the lists.

Deputies from oppositional “United National Movement” refused to support these lists explaining that they distrusted the data submitted.

Representatives of the opposition also pointed out that persons convicted for terrorism and espionage were also on the lists. The oppositionists inquired who took personal responsibility for their enrolment.

Besides, the deputies emphasized that in spite of their requests they were not given a chance to familiarize themselves with the lists prepared. Neither were the lists published on the web-site of the Parliament.

However, parliamentarians from the “Georgian Dream” coalition consider that the lists prepared were “Saakashvili’s lists”, i.e. they were drawn up during the period of his presidency.

Citizens sentenced to different terms of custody for espionage for the Russian Federation were also included into the lists.